Pennsylvania integrates financial literacy into existing courses rather than requiring a standalone class. The state has 64 financial literacy standards across 10 topic areas that are embedded within subjects like economics and social studies.

Last updated: March 2026

64 Standards
10 Topic Areas
integrated Mandate Status
6-8, 9-12 Grade Levels

Does Pennsylvania Require Financial Literacy Education?

Yes, through integration. Pennsylvania requires financial literacy concepts to be taught within existing courses rather than as a standalone class. Pennsylvania requires financial literacy instruction integrated into social studies and economics curricula for grades 6-12 as part of the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Social Studies. There is no separate standalone financial literacy course requirement at the state level.

Mandate Details

Status
integrated
Standalone Course
No
Grade Levels
6-8, 9-12
Legislation
Act 35 of 2023 (HB 1277, amending Section 1551 of the Public School Code of 1949) (2023-12-13)

Key Agencies

Pennsylvania Department of Education
State education agency; sets academic standards and policy but does not manage material adoption
Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units
Regional educational service agencies that facilitate cooperative purchasing and may support district procurement
Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA)
Advocacy and support organization; provides resources and cooperative purchasing information to districts
What this means for districts: Teachers need resources that address financial literacy objectives within their existing courses. A standards-aligned supplement can help ensure coverage without requiring schedule changes.

What Are Pennsylvania's Financial Literacy Standards?

Pennsylvania has 64 financial literacy standards organized across 10 topic areas. These topics range from Saving & Investing and Insurance & Risk Management to Education & Career Planning, covering the full spectrum of personal finance education.

9 standards
Saving & Investing
7 covered 2 gaps
7 standards
Insurance & Risk Management
7 covered
7 standards
Credit & Debt Management
7 covered
7 standards
Financial Planning & Goal Setting
4 covered 3 gaps
7 standards
Consumer Skills & Protection
6 covered 1 gap
7 standards
Budgeting & Money Management
6 covered 1 gap
6 standards
Income & Taxes
5 covered 1 gap
5 standards
Banking & Financial Services
5 covered
3 standards
Retirement & Estate Planning
3 covered
3 standards
Education & Career Planning
2 covered 1 gap

How Pennsylvania School Districts Adopt Financial Literacy Curriculum

Pennsylvania is an open territory state, meaning individual districts have the authority to select and purchase curriculum directly without state-level approval. Pennsylvania does not maintain a state adoption list for K-12 instructional materials. Districts have autonomy to select and purchase materials that meet their specific needs and curricula.

Purchasing Process

Individual school districts make purchasing decisions through their own procurement processes, which may include RFPs, cooperative purchasing, or direct vendor engagement. The state does not mandate or oversee a centralized adoption process.

Decision Level

All instructional material selection and purchasing decisions are made at the district level by local school boards and administrators. The Pennsylvania Department of Education does not make adoption decisions.

Cooperative Purchasing Options

Pennsylvania Purchasing Group (PPG) Intermediate Unit cooperatives (regional educational service agencies) COSTARS (Cooperative Purchasing Program) PASA (Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators) cooperative contracts

Curriculum That Meets Pennsylvania's Financial Literacy Standards

Districts looking for a standards-aligned financial literacy curriculum can use iKnowFi Academy — a self-paced, online platform built on the Absorb LMS that maps directly to Pennsylvania's learning objectives. iKnowFi Academy covers 55 of 64 standards (85.9% coverage) across 9 courses.

Pennsylvania Standards Coverage

85.9%
55 of 64 standards covered 9 courses

Aligned Courses

Borrowing Money

3 modules · 3 standards aligned

Establishing Credit

2 modules · 3 standards aligned

Financial Building Blocks

3 modules · 8 standards aligned

Financial Preparation and Recovery

3 modules · 13 standards aligned

Making Housing Decisions

1 module · 1 standard aligned

Managing Your Debt

1 module · 2 standards aligned

Managing Your Money

4 modules · 8 standards aligned

The Importance of Saving

3 modules · 4 standards aligned

Your Financial Future

3 modules · 13 standards aligned

Pennsylvania's Financial Literacy Standards & iKnowFi Academy Alignment

All 64 standards — 55 covered by iKnowFi Academy.

Saving & Investing 7/9 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
17.4.9-12.B Develop a savings plan for accomplishing personal short- and long-term financial goals. 9-12 The Importance of Saving
17.4.9-12.C Compare the features of various savings vehicles (e.g., savings accounts, certificates of deposit, money market accounts) and the interest rates offered by several institutions. 9-12 The Importance of Saving
17.4.9-12.D Explain factors that contribute to rates of return for various investments, including risk, inflation, and taxes. 9-12 Your Financial Future
17.4.9-12.E Explain the similarities and differences between stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds, and the factors that influence price fluctuations for each. 9-12 Your Financial Future
17.4.9-12.F Describe factors to consider when selecting sources of investment advice and trading methods (e.g., online trading platforms, financial advisors, robo-advisors). 9-12 Your Financial Future
17.4.9-12.H Recommend an investment portfolio diversified to meet specific goals, including purpose, starting age, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. 9-12 Your Financial Future
17.4.9-12.J Analyze personal attitudes towards risk and how these might impact future investment decisions and outcomes. 9-12 Your Financial Future
17.4.9-12.G Explain how popular benchmark indices are used. 9-12 —
17.4.9-12.K Describe methods to avoid or counteract the potentially negative impacts of behavioral biases (E.G., LOSS AVERSION, HERDING, CHOICE OVERLOAD) on investment decisions. 9-12 —
Insurance & Risk Management 7/7 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
17.5.9-12.A Evaluate a person's potential for financial risk (e.g., loss of personal property, reduction in income, liability). 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
17.5.9-12.B Critique approaches to avoiding, reducing, retaining, and transferring risk given a particular scenario. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
17.5.9-12.C Formulate insurance recommendations based on individual needs, situations, and preferences, including but not limited to automotive, homeowners, renters, health, life, and disability, as justified. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
17.5.9-12.D Use information from various sources to compare insurance providers, plans, and prices. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
17.5.9-12.E Formulate a process of comparing insurance products, determining out-of-pocket costs, and filing claims. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
17.5.9-12.F Describe circumstances in which a person may be required to show proof of insurance or obtain a minimum amount of coverage. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
17.5.9-12.G Evaluate the impact of public insurance programs for individuals facing financial hardship (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, and unemployment). 9-12 Your Financial Future
Credit & Debt Management 7/7 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
17.6.9-12.A Evaluate pathways to obtaining credit and what lenders look for in a borrower (e.g., character, capacity, capital, collateral). 9-12 Borrowing Money
17.6.9-12.B Describe how credit reports and scores are determined, used, and improved. 9-12 Establishing Credit
17.6.9-12.C Compare various forms of credit and how each is used (e.g., secured and unsecured loans, installment and revolving credit, service credit). 9-12 Borrowing Money
17.6.9-12.D Analyze the use of loans to finance higher education and home purchases, how they are obtained, and options for paying them back. 9-12 Your Financial Future
17.6.9-12.E Calculate the total cost of credit given a variety of situations (e.g., making minimum payments, paying fees, using alternative financial service providers). 9-12 Borrowing Money
17.6.9-12.F Describe the consequences of failing to repay debts and sources of debt management assistance. 9-12 Managing Your Debt
17.6.9-12.G Evaluate various rights and laws related to credit and their impact on consumers. 9-12 Establishing Credit
Financial Planning & Goal Setting 4/7 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
17.1.9-12.A Determine the financial impact of various long-term goals (e.g., lifestyle, family, education). 9-12 The Importance of Saving
17.1.9-12.B Apply a systematic decision-making process, including opportunity costs, to setting and achieving financial goals. 9-12 Managing Your Money
17.1.9-12.C Analyze the impact of various factors on a person's financial mindset and decisions. 9-12 Managing Your Money
17.4.9-12.A Calculate a person's net worth given their assets and liabilities. 9-12 Your Financial Future
17.1.9-12.D Evaluate strategies for dealing with behavioral biases (E.G., LOSS AVERSION, EXPERIENTIAL BIAS, MENTAL ACCOUNTING) and other obstacles to managing personal finances. 9-12 —
17.1.9-12.E Assess the value of sharing financial goals and information with others. 9-12 —
17.3.9-12.M Justify a decision to participate in or forgo a fundraising effort based on the organization and cause. 9-12 —
Consumer Skills & Protection 6/7 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
17.1.9-12.K Explain the role of various state and federal financial regulators and consumer protection agencies. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
17.1.9-12.L Describe the issues addressed by various laws and regulations that impact or safeguard a person's finances. 9-12 Establishing Credit
17.3.9-12.A Develop a process for making informed spending decisions, including factors to consider (e.g., product features, price, durability, environmental or societal impact, reliability of information). 9-12 Managing Your Money
17.3.9-12.B Compare ways people can lower the price they pay for goods and services (e.g., online tools, discount retailers, negotiating, secondhand items). 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
17.5.9-12.H Analyze trends in financial fraud and strategies to avoid becoming a victim. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
17.5.9-12.I Research the agencies individuals can contact and steps they can take to address financial fraud and scams, including identity theft. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
17.3.9-12.K Justify the purchase or lease of a vehicle and the alternatives considered (e.g., new versus used, total cost of ownership or use). 9-12 —
Budgeting & Money Management 6/7 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
17.3.9-12.C Develop a personal approach to keeping track of income and spending. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
17.3.9-12.D Evaluate various budgeting approaches (e.g., 50-30-20, zero-based) and methods (e.g., envelope system, spreadsheets, online tools). 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
17.3.9-12.E Create a personal budget to allocate current or future income, including estimates for fixed and variable expenses. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
17.3.9-12.F Identify methods for adjusting a budget for unexpected expenses or loss of income. 9-12 The Importance of Saving
17.3.9-12.H Compare various approaches to paying bills, including making automated payments and ensuring bills are paid on time. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
17.3.9-12.J Analyze a housing decision, including comparing renting and buying, upfront and ongoing costs, and the process of obtaining a mortgage or a lease. 9-12 Making Housing Decisions
17.1.9-12.I Develop a system for documenting and organizing personal financial records, both paper and electronic. 9-12 —
Income & Taxes 5/6 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
17.2.9-12.A Explain various types of income (e.g., earned, unearned, passive, active) and their sources (e.g., work, rentals, investments, government programs). 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
17.2.9-12.F Explain the impact of employee benefits (e.g., health insurance, retirement savings plans, education reimbursement programs) on an individual's finances. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
17.2.9-12.H Calculate the impact of taxes and payroll deductions on income. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
17.2.9-12.I Complete various federal, state, and local tax forms. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
17.3.9-12.L Analyze the impact of paying sales, excise, and property taxes on financial decisions. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
17.2.9-12.G Analyze the financial impact of a person's decision to own a business, work as an independent contractor, or be employed. 9-12 —
Banking & Financial Services 5/5 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
17.1.9-12.F Compare various financial service providers (e.g., banks, credit unions, check cashers, brokerage firms) and the types of accounts and services each provides. 9-12 Managing Your Money
17.1.9-12.G Communicate the process of opening financial accounts and the factors to consider when selecting financial institutions and professionals. 9-12 Managing Your Money
17.1.9-12.H Evaluate the use of financial technology to access financial services and make financial decisions. 9-12 Managing Your Money
17.3.9-12.G Compare the effects of using various payment methods when making purchases. 9-12 Managing Your Money
17.3.9-12.I Describe the impact of technology on payment methods and how it influences spending. 9-12 Managing Your Money
Retirement & Estate Planning 3/3 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
17.1.9-12.J Explain the financial implications of wills, powers of attorney, and naming beneficiaries for various accounts. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
17.2.9-12.B Describe sources of retirement income and how they relate to individual investment choices, employer-sponsored retirement plans, and government programs. 9-12 Your Financial Future
17.4.9-12.I Compare retirement-specific investment options, including employer-sponsored plans, Roth and traditional individual retirement accounts, and accounts available to people who are self-employed. 9-12 Your Financial Future
Education & Career Planning 2/3 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
17.2.9-12.C Use data to support an individual's decision to obtain or forgo post-secondary education based on the associated costs and anticipated future income. 9-12 Your Financial Future
17.2.9-12.D Research options to pay for education and training, ways to reduce the total cost, and steps needed to obtain financial aid. 9-12 Your Financial Future
17.2.9-12.E Evaluate the impacts of technology, labor markets, and economic conditions and trends on a person's employment potential. 9-12 —

Pennsylvania Financial Literacy FAQ

Pennsylvania integrates financial literacy into existing courses rather than requiring a standalone class.

Pennsylvania requires financial literacy instruction integrated into social studies and economics curricula for grades 6-12 as part of the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Social Studies. There is no separate standalone financial literacy course requirement at the state level.

Pennsylvania's financial literacy requirement is established by Act 35 of 2023 (HB 1277, amending Section 1551 of the Public School Code of 1949). Effective 2023-12-13.

Requires all Pennsylvania public school students in grades 9-12 to complete a standalone half-credit course in personal financial literacy as a graduation requirement, covering income, spending, saving and investing, risk and insurance, and credit.

Pennsylvania's financial literacy standards apply to grades 6-8, 9-12. Standards are integrated into existing coursework.

Pennsylvania has 64 financial literacy standards spanning 10 topic areas including Saving & Investing, Insurance & Risk Management, Credit & Debt Management, Consumer Skills & Protection, Budgeting & Money Management.

Pennsylvania's 64 standards are organized across 10 topics: Saving & Investing, Insurance & Risk Management, Credit & Debt Management, Consumer Skills & Protection, Budgeting & Money Management, Banking & Financial Services, Income & Taxes, Financial Planning & Goal Setting, Retirement & Estate Planning, Education & Career Planning.

Pennsylvania is an open-territory state where individual districts purchase curriculum directly.

Individual school districts make purchasing decisions through their own procurement processes, which may include RFPs, cooperative purchasing, or direct vendor engagement. The state does not mandate or oversee a centralized adoption process.

iKnowFi Academy covers 55 of Pennsylvania's 64 financial literacy standards (86% coverage) across 9 self-paced online courses.

Each course is aligned to Pennsylvania's specific learning objectives, built on the Absorb LMS, and includes built-in assessments. Teachers assign them and students work independently.

Get Your Free Pennsylvania Standards Alignment Report

See exactly how iKnowFi Academy maps to each of Pennsylvania's 64 financial literacy standards — standard by standard, module by module.

  • 55 of 64 standards covered
  • 9 self-paced courses, ready to assign
  • Built-in assessments and progress tracking
  • No schedule changes needed — students work independently

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Last updated: March 2026